Assembly systems and technologies are key processes in the manufacturing of complex products. Focus areas in this theme are robust design, tolerance analysis, sequencing, path planning, assembly ergonomics, human/machine interactions, resource allocation and energy optimization.
The potential of increased
digitalization, with better product and process knowledge, is used in an
interlinked approach, where the conditions for each individual product
are optimized to reach highest product quality with limited resource
consumption. New materials give new manufacturing possibilities, but may
also require new joining methods that need to be included in
simulations. The area Smart Assembly contributes to the development of
new theories, methods and digital tools that support highly efficient
and effective assembly processes.
Important research areas
- Robust design and tolerance analysis
- Assembly/disassembly and sequencing
- Joining (welding/clamping) sequence optimization
- Simulation of new material/process/joining methods
- Assembly ergonomics
- Resource allocation and control
- Energy optimization
The area Smart Assembly contributes to the development of new methods and tools that support assembly and design for assembly. Expected results are more effective and efficient assembly solutions for the industrial partners. The increased focus on product platforms in the automotive and manufacturing industry requires efficient assembly processes, fewer try-outs, fewer prototypes and fewer test-series. Tougher demands on sustainability drive new light-weight solutions with new manufacturing and assembly methods as a consequence. The ability to simulate and optimize new assembly concepts with respect to geometrical quality, cycle time, ergonomics, energy consumption, environmental load etc. is a key in a fully virtual product realization process.
The simulation platforms, RD&T, CCM, IPS and Sequence Planner are all tools that will be further developed to meet these needs.
Ongoing research questions
Research Challenges (RCs) and preliminary Research Questions (RQs) addressed in the theme are:
RC1: To improve assembly simulation capabilities for increased accuracy and efficiency
RQ1: How can material properties, thermal effects and welding be included in non-rigid variation simulation? (GA)
RQ2: How can geometry data from forming simulation be integrated in variation simulation? (GA, SE)
RQ3: How can path planning algorithms be extended to support fast and energy optimized in-line motion planning? (GMP, A)
RQ4: How can manual and robotic assisted assembly operations be optimized with respect to geometrical quality, ergonomics and cycle time (GA, GMP, A)
RC2: To extend simulation models for real-time control and optimization (Digital Twin)
RQ5: How can a Digital Twin for geometry assurance, motion planning and automation be developed and connected? (GA, GMP, A)
RQ6: How can geometry scan data be gathered and adapted for use in Digital Twin, Process Control, Root Cause Analysis and Machine Learning? (GA, GMP, SE, A)
RC7: How can augmented reality be integrated in the Digital Twin concept to support manual assembly? (GA)